Optimizing placement of a wireless range extender

ABSTRACT

Described are systems, devices, and techniques for extending wireless networks and associated systems, devices, and techniques for determination of optimal locations of a wireless range extender, such as by evalauating a quality of a wireless signal originating from a wireless gateway or access device and determining whether an alternative placement of a wireless range extender would result in improved quality. Also described are systems, devices, and techniques for automatically grouping multiple bands of a single wireless access device as well as systems, devices, and techniques that simplify connection of wireless devices to a wireless access device, such as by evaluating wireless messages transmitted on different bands to determine that the wireless messages originate from the same wireless access device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/669,696, filed on Aug. 4, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/972,480, filed on Dec. 17, 2015.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/669,696 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,109,filed on Jun. 2, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,247. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/669,696 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/339,191, filed on Jul. 23, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,924,513. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/669,696 is alsoa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/514,628,filed on Oct. 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,794,782. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/669,696 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/493,205 filed on Sep. 22, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,063,650, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/493,075, filed on Sep. 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,191,374. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/669,696 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,199filed on Sep. 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,936,039, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,075, filed onSep. 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,191,374. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/669,696 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/493,193 filed on Sep. 22, 2014, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,075, filed on Sep. 22, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,191,374. All of these are incorporated by reference intheir entireties for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless networks andwireless devices. Specifically, various techniques and systems areprovided for extending the physical range of a wireless network using awireless range extender, for self-optimizing the position of a wirelessrange extender, and for simplification of connection of wireless devicesto a wireless access device or wireless gateway device.

BACKGROUND

Wireless range extenders are useful for, among other things, increasingthe distance from a wireless access point at which wireless networkservices provided by the access point can be used by other wirelessnetwork devices. Similarly, wireless bridges provide a means forproviding wireless connectivity to a wireless access point to networkdevices that are not capable of wireless transmission.

SUMMARY

Described herein are systems, devices, and techniques for extendingwireless networks and associated systems, devices, and techniques fordetermination of optimal locations of wireless network devices, such asa wireless range extender or wireless bridge device. For example, byevalauating a quality of a wireless signal originating from a wirelessaccess device or access device the systems, devices, and techniquesdisclosed herein may determine whether an alternative placement of awireless network device would result in improved quality, speed, and/orreliability. In some implementations, the disclosed systems, devices,and techniques automatically group multiple bands of a single wirelessaccess device in order to simplify connection of wireless devices to awireless access device.

In an aspect, devices, systems, methods and computer program productsare described for association of wireless network devices to two or morewireless networks and for identifying and/or grouping multiple wirelessnetworks corresponding to a single wireless access device, such as awireless router, gateway or other wireless access device. In anembodiment, a method of this aspect comprises detecting, such as by awireless network device, a first wireless signal on a first wirelessfrequency, such a first wireless signal that corresponds to a firstnetwork identifier; detecting a second wireless signal on a secondwireless frequency different from the first wireless frequency, such asa second wireless signal that corresponds to a second networkidentifier; determining that the first network identifier and the secondnetwork identifier correspond to a same wireless access device;generating a notification, such as a notification that indicates thatthe first network identifier and the second network identifiercorrespond to the same wireless access device; and facilitating adisplay of the notification.

Various techniques are useful for detecting a wireless signal on awireless frequency. For example, in one embodiment, detecting a wirelesssignal on a wireless frequency includes transmitting a probe requestmessage on the wireless frequency and receiving a probe response messageon the wireless frequency, such as a probe response message thatincludes a network identifier. In another embodiment, detecting awireless signal on a wireless frequency includes receiving a wirelessbeacon message on the wireless frequency, such as a wireless beaconmessage that includes a network identifier.

Further, various techniques are useful for determining that two networkidentifiers correspond to the same wireless access device. In oneembodiment, determining includes comparing a first message element ofthe first wireless signal to a second message element of the secondwireless signal. Useful message elements include, for example, networkidentifiers, such as a service set identifier (SSID), a basic serviceset identifier (BSSID), a source address, etc. Optionally, multiplemessage elements associated with each wireless signal may be used, whichmay increase a confidence in the determination that two networkidentifiers correspond to the same wireless access device. Usefulmessage elements also or alternatively optionally include a vendorspecific element. Optionally, determining includes matching at least aportion of the first network identifier to at least a portion of thesecond network identifier. Optionally, determining includes matching afirst portion of a first BSSID of the first wireless signal to a secondportion of a second BSSID of the second wireless signal. Optionally,determining includes matching at least a portion of a first vendorspecific element of the first wireless signal to at least a portion of asecond vendor specific element of the second wireless signal.Optionally, matching at least a portion of a first SSID of the firstwireless signal to at least a portion of a second SSID of the secondwireless signal.

In some embodiments, determining that two network identifiers correspondto the same wireless access device may include comparing passwords orsecurity protocols needed to connect to wireless networks correspondingto the two network identifiers. For example, a method of this aspect mayfurther comprise receiving input corresponding to determination of apassword needed for establishing a first wireless association betweenthe wireless network device and the wireless access device using thefirst network identifier. Optionally, the input may be user provided.Optionally, a method of this aspect further comprises establishing thefirst wireless association between the wireless network device and thewireless access device using the first network identifier and thepassword. Optionally, determining includes establishing a secondwireless association between the wireless network device and thewireless access device using the second network identifier and thepassword. Optionally, a method of this aspect further comprisesreceiving input corresponding to determination of a security protocolneeded for establishing the first wireless association using the firstnetwork identifier. Optionally, a method of this aspect furthercomprises establishing the first wireless association between thewireless network device and the wireless access device using the firstnetwork identifier, the password, and the security protocol. Optionally,determining includes establishing a second wireless association usingthe second network identifier, the password, and the security protocol.As used herein, the term “password” may be used interchangeably with theterms “passcode” and “passphrase” without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Notifications useful with the methods of this aspect can take on avariety of forms. For example, in one embodiment, the notificationincludes a listing of network identifiers grouped, linked, color coded,positioned, or otherwise arranged according to corresponding accessdevices. Optionally, the notification includes a listing of networkidentifiers and signal strength indicators corresponding to the networkidentifiers. Optionally, a display of the notification is facilitated bygenerating a display of the notification, such as directly on a displayof the wireless network device, such as a liquid crystal display ore-ink display. Optionally, generating the notification includesgenerating a web page including the notification. Optionally,facilitating the display of the notification includes transmitting theweb page. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the web page at anetwork device facilitates the network device displaying the web pageincluding the notification, such as on a display associated with thenetwork device, like a monitor or touchscreen interface of the networkdevice.

In various embodiments, methods of this aspect include establishing awireless association between the wireless network device and the accessdevice. For example, a user may provide input identifying which wirelessnetworks of an access device to associate with and then the wirelessnetwork device may proceed with association. In this way, the wirelessnetwork device may extend or provide access to the wireless networkprovided by the access device to other wired or wireless networkdevices. In one embodiment, for example, a method of this aspect furthercomprises receiving input corresponding to a determination of thewireless access device, such as where the wireless access devicecorresponds to the first network identifier, the second networkidentifier, or both the first network identifier and the second networkidentifier; and establishing a wireless association between the wirelessnetwork device and the wireless access device using the first networkidentifier or the second network identifier.

Optionally, the wireless network device may establish separate wirelessassociations with the wireless access device on multiple frequencies. Inthis way, the wireless network device can be used for extending networkaccess using each of the multiple frequencies. In one embodiment, amethod of this aspect further comprises receiving input corresponding toa determination of the wireless access device, wherein the wirelessaccess device corresponds to the first network identifier and the secondnetwork identifier; establishing a first wireless association betweenthe wireless network device and the wireless access device using thefirst network identifier and the first wireless frequency; establishinga second wireless association between the wireless network device andthe wireless access device using the second network identifier and thesecond wireless frequency.

Optionally, the extended wireless network access provided by thewireless network device to other network devices may be provided on thesame or different wireless frequencies and/or channels. Optionally theextended wireless network access provided by the wireless network deviceto other network devices may utilize the same access credentials, suchas SSID and password/passphrase. Use of the same wireless credentialsallows simplification of connection of other network devices to thewireless network device, as the other network devices may wirelesslyroam from the base access device to the wireless network deviceproviding extended service, allowing a seamless user experience.

In various implementations, systems embodying the above aspect areprovided, such as systems for performing the methods described above. Aspecific system embodiment comprises one or more data processors; and anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructionswhich when executed on the one or more data processors, cause the one ormore data processors to perform operations including: detecting, by awireless network device, a first wireless signal on a first wirelessfrequency, such as a first wireless signal that corresponds to a firstnetwork identifier; detecting a second wireless signal on a secondwireless frequency different from the first wireless frequency, such asa second wireless signal that corresponds to a second networkidentifier; determining that the first network identifier and the secondnetwork identifier correspond to a same wireless access device;generating a notification, such as a notification that indicates thatthe first network identifier and the second network identifiercorrespond to the same wireless access device; and facilitating adisplay of the notification. It will be appreciated that any of thevariations on the methods described above may be implemented on thesystems provided.

In embodiments, computer-program products of the above aspect areprovided, such as a computer-program product tangibly embodied in anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructionsconfigured to cause a computing device to perform operations includingdetecting a first wireless signal on a first wireless frequency, such asa first wireless signal that corresponds to a first network identifier;detecting a second wireless signal on a second wireless frequencydifferent from the first wireless frequency, such as a second wirelesssignal that corresponds to a second network identifier; determining thatthe first network identifier and the second network identifiercorrespond to a same wireless access device; generating a notification,such as a notification that indicates that the first network identifierand the second network identifier correspond to the same wireless accessdevice; and facilitating a display of the notification. It will beappreciated that any of the variations on the methods of the relatedaspect may be implemented as a computer program product.

In some embodiments, after identification of a wireless network, such asby receiving input corresponding to a determination of one or morewireless network identifiers, a wireless range extender may associatewith one or more wireless networks of a wireless access devicecorresponding to the network identifiers and serve to provide wirelessaccess to the wireless networks. In this way, the wireless rangeextender can extend the usable area for a wireless network, such as bybeing positioned at a location within wireless range of the wirelessaccess device and provide wireless access to other devices that arepositioned further from the wireless access device where they may not bein range of the wireless access device but may be in range of thewireless range extender.

In another aspect, devices, systems, methods and computer programproducts are described for optimal positioning of a wireless networkdevice, such as a wireless range extender or wireless bridge. In anembodiment, a method of this aspect comprises receiving, at a wirelessnetwork device, input corresponding to a determination of a wirelessaccess device; detecting a wireless signal, such as a wireless signalthat corresponds to the wireless access device; determining a quality ofthe wireless signal; comparing the quality of the wireless signal to athreshold value; generating a notification based on the comparison, suchas a notification that includes instructions for positioning thewireless network device; and facilitating displaying the notification.Optionally, receiving input corresponding to a determination of awireless access device includes receiving input corresponding todetermination of a network identifier. In embodiments, the methodsdescribed above for identifying and/or grouping multiple wirelessnetworks corresponding to a single wireless access device may beimplemented in determination of the wireless access device.

Various techniques are useful for detecting the wireless signal. Forexample, in one embodiment, detecting the wireless signal includesestablishing a wireless association between the wireless network deviceand the wireless access device. Optionally, detecting the wirelesssignal includes transmitting a probe request message; and receiving aprobe response message, such as a probe response message thatcorresponds to the wireless access device. Optionally, detecting thewireless signal includes receiving a wireless beacon message, such as awireless beacon message that corresponds to the wireless access device.

It will be appreciated that any of a variety of quality metrics areuseful with methods of this aspect. Although not so limited, in oneembodiment, the quality of the wireless signal corresponds to a measureof the received power of the wireless signal. For example, the qualitymay correspond to a received signal strength indication (RSSI). In oneembodiment, the measure of the received power of the wireless signal isgreater than or equal to −50 dBm and the notification includesinstructions to move the wireless network device away from the wirelessaccess device. In another embodiment, the measure of the received powerof the wireless signal is less than or equal to −75 dBm and thenotification includes instructions to move the wireless network devicecloser to the wireless access device. In another embodiment, the measureof the received power of the wireless signal is between −75 dBm and −50dBm and the notification includes instructions to keep the wirelessnetwork device at the current distance from the wireless access device.

Optionally, quality of the wireless signal corresponds to one or moreof: a measure of the received signal strength of the wireless signal, areceived channel power indicator of the wireless signal, a receivedpower of the wireless signal, a signal to noise ratio of the wirelesssignal, a noise margin of the wireless signal, a wireless signal traveltime between the wireless access device and the wireless network device,an average connection speed during wireless association between thewireless network device and the wireless access device, a number ofdetected wireless devices operating on a same channel as the wirelessaccess device, a statistical measure of a characteristic of a wirelessassociation between the wireless network device and the wireless accessdevice, a packet drop rate, an average throughput, determination of adistance between the wireless access device and the wireless networkdevice.

In embodiments, the wireless network device has power removed during aprocess of optimizing placement of the device, such as by a user inorder to position the wireless network device at a new location.Preferably, the user moves the wireless network device according toinformation included in the notification. When power is resumed, forexample, embodiments of methods of this aspect resume performance. Forexample, in one embodiment, a method of this aspect further comprisesdetecting removal of and/or restoration of power to the wireless networkdevice and resuming performance of the method thereafter. Optionally,methods of this aspect further comprise detecting a new wireless signal,such as a new wireless signal that corresponds to the wireless accessdevice; determining a new quality of the new wireless signal; making anew comparison of the new quality of the wireless signal to thethreshold value; generating a new notification based on the newcomparison, such as a new notification that includes instructions forpositioning the wireless network device, such as to position thewireless network device at a different distance from the wireless accessdevice or to keep the wireless network device at a current distance fromthe wireless access device; and facilitating displaying the newnotification. In this way, the wireless network device may evaluate thequality of the wireless signal upon restoration of the power to thewireless network device at a new position and determine whether thewireless signal quality for the new location is sufficient.

In various embodiments, the wireless network device may monitor aquality of a wireless signal or wireless association for a period oftime, such as to establish statistical information about the wirelessnetwork and quality of the wireless signals from the wireless network atthe position of the wireless network device. After the statisticalinformation is obtained, this information can be evaluated to determinewhether another position for the wireless network device might provide ahigher or more suitable quality signal. For example, wirelessinterference may be sporadic and so an initial quality determination maynot be indicative of the true performance of a wireless association overa longer term during which the wireless interference is present. It willbe appreciated that a variety of conditions may result in wirelessinterference, such as presence and/or operation of other wirelessdevices, presence and/or operation of other electronic devices, such asmicrowaves, presence and/or orientation of obstructions, etc., and thatthese conditions may change as a function of time.

In one embodiment, a method of this aspect further comprisesestablishing a wireless association with the wireless access device;monitoring a characteristic of the wireless association; determining astatistical measure of the characteristic of the wireless association;generating a new notification using the statistical measure, such as anew notification that includes instructions for positioning the wirelessnetwork device; and facilitating displaying the new notification.

The notification for positioning the wireless network device may beprovided in a variety of forms. For example, in one embodiment, thenotification may take an optical form, such as a light present on thewireless network device, or an audible form, such as a sound emitted bythe wireless network device. Optionally, facilitating displaying thenotification includes changing a display of one more lights of thewireless network device or of another network device. Optionally,facilitating displaying the notification includes displaying thenotification on a display of the wireless network device or of anothernetwork device. Optionally, facilitating displaying the notificationincludes generating an audible signal using a speaker of the wirelessnetwork device or of another network device. In one embodiment, thenotification takes a form representing a direction to move the wirelessnetwork device, such as a word or other sound or symbol indicatingwhether to move the wireless network device closer to or further fromthe wireless access device. In another embodiment, the notificationtakes a form representing optimal placement of the wireless networkdevice, such as a word or other sound or symbol indicating that thewireless network device does not need to be moved.

In an exemplary embodiment, the notification includes instructions toplace the wireless network device at a different distance from thewireless access device or to keep the wireless network device at acurrent distance from the wireless access device. Optionally, thenotification includes instructions to move the wireless network devicetoward the wireless access device. Optionally, the notification includesinstructions to move the wireless network device away from the wirelessaccess device.

Optionally, generating the notification includes determining that thequality of the wireless signal is greater than a low threshold value;and determining that the quality of the wireless signal is greater thana high threshold value. Optionally, the notification includesinstructions to move the wireless network device away from the wirelessaccess device.

Optionally, generating the notification includes determining that thequality of the wireless signal is smaller than a low threshold value;and determining that the quality of the wireless signal is smaller thana high threshold value. Optionally, the notification includesinstructions to move the wireless network device closer to the wirelessaccess device.

Optionally, generating the notification includes determining that thequality of the wireless signal is greater than a low threshold value;and determining that the quality of the wireless signal is smaller thana high threshold value. Optionally, the notification includesinstructions to keep the wireless network device at the current distancefrom the wireless access device.

Optionally, the notification is included on a web page displayed by thewireless network device or another network device. In an embodiment, forexample, generating includes generating a web page including thenotification. Optionally, facilitating displaying the notificationincludes transmitting the web page. Optionally, receiving the web pageat a network device facilitates the network device displaying the webpage including the notification.

In some embodiments, a wireless network device is capable of and/orconfigured for associating with wireless access devices on multiplewireless frequencies. It will be appreciated that different frequencywireless signals may have different propagation characteristics. Forexample, in some configurations, a 2.4 GHz wireless signal willpropagate further than a similar 5 GHz wireless signal, such as a 5 GHzwireless signal that has a same transmission power as the 2.4 GHzwireless signal. Accordingly, a device positioned optimally forreceiving a first wireless signal at a first frequency may not bepositioned optimally for receiving a second wireless signal at a secondfrequency different from the first frequency. Aspects described hereinare useful, for example, for determining an optimal location for adual-frequency wireless network device.

For example, in one embodiment, detecting a wireless signal includesdetecting a first wireless signal corresponding to the wireless accessdevice, such as where the first wireless signal corresponds to a firstwireless frequency and detecting a second wireless signal correspondingto the wireless access device, such as where the second wireless signalcorresponds to a second wireless frequency. Optionally, determining thequality of a wireless signal includes determining a first quality of thefirst wireless signal and determining a second quality of the secondwireless signal. Optionally, generating the notification includesdetermining whether the first quality of the first wireless signal isless than or greater than a first threshold value and determiningwhether the second quality of the second wireless signal is less than orgreater than a second threshold value. In some embodiments, a method ofthis aspect further comprises establishing a first wireless associationwith the wireless access device using the first wireless frequency andestablishing a second wireless association with the wireless accessdevice using the second wireless frequency.

Optionally, detecting the wireless signal includes detecting a firstwireless network operating on a first wireless frequency, such as wherethe first wireless network corresponds to a first network identifierdetecting a second wireless network operating on a second wirelessfrequency, such as where the second wireless network corresponds to asecond network identifier, and determining that both the first networkidentifier and the second network identifier correspond to the wirelessaccess device.

Various wireless network devices are useful with the methods, systemsand products described herein. Useful wireless network devices includethose for making a wireless connection with a wireless access device,such as a wireless router, a wireless access point, or a wirelessgateway, and providing wireless network connectivity to other networkdevices, such as using an additional wired or wireless networkconnection. For example, in one embodiment, the wireless network deviceis a wireless range extender. Optionally, the wireless network device isa wireless repeater. In an embodiment, the wireless network device is awireless bridge. Optionally, the wireless network device is a wirelessaccess point. In this way, the range of a wireless access device can beextended to additional wired or wireless network devices.

In embodiments, wireless network devices may be compliant with one ormore Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) wirelessnetworking standards or amendments, such as 802.11-2007, 802.11-2012,802.11n, 802.11ac, etc. Optionally, various wireless frequencies areuseful with the methods of this aspect, such as those suitable for useby a wireless network device or prescribed by an IEEE 802.11 standard,such as one or more frequencies within a 2.4 GHz band and/or one or morefrequencies within a 5 GHz band. It will be appreciated that channel andfrequency assignments available for use may be prescribed by localregulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)in the United States. Further, it will be appreciated that variouschannel numbers and widths may be used by a wireless network device. Inone embodiment, a first wireless frequency corresponds to 2.4 GHz, or achannel or channel range thereof, and a second wireless frequencycorresponds to 5 GHz, or a channel or channel range thereof. In anotherembodiment, a first wireless frequency corresponds to a first 5 GHzchannel or channel range and a second wireless frequency corresponds toa different 5 GHz channel or channel range. Optionally, a third wirelessfrequency corresponds to a 2.4 GHz channel or channel range.

This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolationto determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject mattershould be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entirespecification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

The foregoing, together with other features and embodiments, will becomemore apparent upon referring to the following specification, claims, andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the following drawing figures:

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an example of a network environment,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an example of a network environment,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B provide overviews of exchange of wireless messagesbetween network devices, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A provides a summary of example messages received by a wirelessnetwork device, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 4B provides anexample notification listing detected wireless networks, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 4C provides an example notification listingdetected wireless networks, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 provides a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordetecting a plurality of wireless networks.

FIG. 6 provides an illustration of an example of a network environment,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D, and FIG. 7E provide illustrations ofthe arrangement of wireless network devices in a network environment, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 8D provide illustration of examplenotifications, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 provides a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordetermining an optimal position of a wireless network device.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wireless network device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a server.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an access device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent that variousembodiments may be practiced without these specific details. The figuresand description are not intended to be restrictive.

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of skill in the art that the embodiments may bepracticed without these specific details. For example, circuits,systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown ascomponents in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodimentsin unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits,processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown withoutunnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as aprocess which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flowdiagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchartmay describe the operations as a sequential process, many of theoperations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition,the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminatedwhen its operations are completed, but could have additional steps notincluded in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function,a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process correspondsto a function, its termination can correspond to a return of thefunction to the calling function or the main function.

The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable storagemedium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portablestorage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediumscapable of storing, containing, or carrying instruction(s) and/or data.A machine-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in whichdata can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and/ortransitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wiredconnections. Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but arenot limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such ascompact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memoryor memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/ormachine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, afunction, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, asoftware package, a class, or any combination of instructions, datastructures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled toanother code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receivinginformation, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded,or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, messagepassing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or anycombination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middlewareor microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessarytasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in amachine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.

Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in variousconfigurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as adistributed system where one or more components of the system aredistributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.

A network may be set up to provide an network device user with access tovarious devices connected to the network. For example, a network mayinclude one or more gateways or access devices (e.g., access points,router, range extenders, bridges, etc.) that allow client devices toaccess the network by providing wired connections and/or wirelessconnections using radio frequency channels in one or more frequencybands. The one or more gateways may also provide the client devices withaccess to one or more external networks, such as a cloud network, theInternet, and/or other wide area networks.

A local area network, such as a user's home local area network, caninclude multiple network devices that provide various functionalities.The local area network can also extend outside of the user's home andmay include network devices located outside of the user's home. Forinstance, the local area network can include network devices such asexterior motion sensors, exterior lighting (e.g., porch lights, walkwaylights, security lights, or the like), garage door openers, sprinklersystems, or other network devices that are exterior to the user's home.It is desirable for a user to be able to access the network deviceswhile located within the local area network and also while locatedremotely from the local area network. For example, a user may access thenetwork devices using a network within the local area network orremotely from the local area network.

Devices within the local area network may include a network gateway,such as a wired or wireless access device, a wired or wireless router, awireless range extender, a wireless bridge, and client devices. It willbe appreciated that devices attached to, associated with or otherwiseconnected to the local area network may exchange network communicationswith one another using a wired or wireless medium, depending on thespecific network interfaces present within the devices. In someembodiments, a network device includes one or more wired networkinterfaces and one or more wireless network interfaces. It will beappreciated that various network interfaces may be implemented withinwireless devices, such as network interfaces compliant with one or moreInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards orspecifications, such as IEEE 802.3 or IEEE 802.11.

For example, a typical wireless router used in a home local area networkmay include a first wired interface for establishing a wired networkconnection with a gateway device, such as a cable, DSL, cellular, orfiber optic modem, which may provide network access to a wide areanetwork, such as the Internet. The wireless router may further includeone or more additional wired interfaces for establishing wired networkconnections with one or more client or intermediate network devices,such as a hub, switch, personal computer, set top box, video gameconsole, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone, access points, andthe like. The wireless router may further include one or more wirelessinterfaces for establishing wireless network connections with one ormore client or intermediate network devices, such as a laptop,smartphone, set top box, video game console, wireless repeater, wirelessbridge, wireless range extender, and the like. In some embodiments, awireless router may include a first wireless interface that operates ona first frequency, such as using the 2.4 GHz band associated with IEEE802.11 devices, and a second wireless interface that operates on asecond frequency, such as such as using the 5 GHz band associated withIEEE 802.11 devices. In this way, the wireless router may be useful forproviding network access to any of a range of network devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a local area network 100. The localarea network 100 includes a wireless access device 102, which providesnetwork connectivity to network 104, such as over a wired or wirelessinterface, to various other network devices. Local area network 100further includes a second wireless access device 106, which isillustrated in wired network communication with wireless access device102. Various wireless network devices are further included in local areanetwork 100, including tablet computer 108 and laptop 110. Tabletcomputer 108 is connected to wireless access device 102 by wirelessnetwork connection 112, for example. Laptop 110 is connected to thesecond wireless access device 106 by wireless network connection 114,for example. A smartphone 116 is illustrated as in the vicinity of localarea network 100, but positioned at a location outside of a wirelessrange of wireless access device 102 or second wireless access device106, such that smartphone 116 is unable to establish a wirelessconnection 118 or 120 with either access point.

One solution for providing wireless connectivity to smartphone 116 isillustrated in FIG. 2. There, an intermediate wireless network device,such as a wireless range extender 122, is positioned between wirelessaccess device 102 and smartphone 116. Wireless range extender 122 maymake one or more wireless network connections 124 with wireless accessdevice 102 and also make a wireless network connection 126 withsmartphone 116 in order to provide network access to local area network100 to smartphone 116. It will be appreciated that wireless rangeextender 122 may alternatively or additionally establish a wirelessnetwork connection with second wireless access point 106. It willfurther be appreciated that wireless range extender 122 may functionalternatively or additionally as a wireless bridge and provideconnectivity via wireless network connection 124 to local area network100 to one or more network devices over a wired network interface.

It will also be appreciated that the local area network 100 may haveother components than those depicted. Further, the embodiments shown inthe figures are only examples of local area networks that mayincorporate embodiments of the invention. In some other embodiments,local area network 100 may have more or fewer components than shown inthe figure, may combine two or more components, or may have a differentconfiguration or arrangement of components.

The local area network 100 may include a wireless network or acombination of wired and wireless networks, as illustrated. A wirelessnetwork may include any wireless interface or combination of wirelessinterfaces (e.g., Zigbee™, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, IR, cellular, long-termevolution (LTE), WiMax™, or the like). A wired network may include anywired interface (e.g., fiber, ethernet, powerline ethernet, ethernetover coaxial cable, digital signal line (DSL), or the like). The wiredand/or wireless networks may be implemented using various routers,access points, bridges, gateways, or the like, to connect devices in thelocal area network 100.

The network 104, to which access is provided by wireless access device102, may be of any type of network that can support data communicationsusing any of a variety of commercially-available protocols and using oneor more gateway devices, such as a cable modem, wireless modem, DSLmodem, fiber optic network modem, etc. Network 104 may include one ormore external networks, such as a cloud network, the Internet, and/orother wide area networks. In certain embodiments, services provided bythe network 104 may include a host of services that are made availableto users, such as registration and access control of network devicesincluded in local area network 100. For example, the network 104 mayhost an application, and a user may, via a communication network such asthe Internet, use the application.

Optionally, upon being powered on or reset, any one or more of thenetwork devices included in local area network 100 may be registeredwith a server present in network 104, such as a server of a cloudservice provider. For example, services may be provided by a cloudservice provided that allow control over network devices present withinlocal area network 100 from anywhere that access to the cloud serviceprovider may be obtained. In this way, a user may monitor or controldevices such as the wireless access device 102, second wireless accessdevice 106, tablet computer 108, laptop 110, wireless range extender122, and other network devices, from any location inside or outside oflocal area network 100 where access to the cloud service provider may beobtained.

The process of associating a wireless network device, such as a wirelessrange extender, with a wireless network begins, in some embodiments, bythe wireless network device detecting wireless networks operating in thevicinity of the wireless network device. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate twoprocesses by which a wireless range extender may detect nearby wirelessnetworks. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, wireless range extender 304 mayactively scan for nearby wireless networks by transmitting one or moreprobe request messages on each of the wireless bands it may becompatible with, such as 2.4 GHz probe request 308 and 5 GHz proberequest 312. It will be appreciated that probe requests 308 and 312 mayconform to one or more wireless network specifications, such as an IEEE802.11 specification, and may comprise, for example, a wirelessmanagement frame requesting information about the wireless networks thatdetect the transmitted frame. Wireless access devices 316 and 320 may bepresent in a detection range of the transmitted probe requests 308 and312 and respond accordingly with one or more probe responses. Forexample, wireless access device 316 responds by transmitting a 2.4 GHzprobe response 324 and a 5 GHz probe response 328, and wireless accessdevice 320 responds by transmitting a 2.4 GHz probe response 332 and a 5GHz probe response 334. It will be appreciated that probe responses 324,328, 332, and 334 may also conform to one or more wireless networkspecifications, such as an IEEE 802.11 specification, and may comprise,for example, a wireless management frame providing information about thewireless networks operated by the access devices. Probe responses 324,328, 332, and 334 may include information about the wireless accessdevice or wireless network, such as a network identifier, like a serviceset identifier (SSID), a basic service set identifier (BSSID), and/or aninternet protocol (IP) address, rate information, channel information,etc., and vendor specific information. As illustrated, wireless rangeextender 304 receives the probe responses 324, 328, 332, and 336 andassembles a list of detected networks 340.

FIG. 3B illustrates a passive scanning technique in which wireless rangeextender 304 listens for nearby wireless networks that transmit one ormore beacon messages on each of the wireless bands it may be compatiblewith, such as for 2.4 GHz beacon messages and 5 GHz beacon messages. Itwill be appreciated that the beacon messages may conform to one or morewireless network specifications, such as an IEEE 802.11 specification,and may comprise, for example, a wireless management frame providinginformation about the wireless networks operated by the access devices.Beacon messages may include information about the wireless access deviceor wireless network, such as a network identifier, like a service setidentifier (SSID), a basic service set identifier (BSSID), and/or aninternet protocol (IP) address, rate information, channel information,etc., and vendor specific information. As illustrated, wireless accessdevice 316 transmits a 2.4 GHz beacon 344 and a 5 GHz beacon 348, andwireless access device 320 transmits a 2.4 GHz beacon 352 and a 5 GHzbeacon 356. Upon wireless range extender 304 receiving the beacons 344,348, 352, and 356, wireless range extender 304 assembles a list ofdetected networks 338.

FIG. 4A provides an exemplary summary of messages 404, 408, 412, 416,420, 424, 428, and 432, which are received by a wireless network device.As illustrated, various message elements are depicted in messages 404,408, 412, 416, 420, 424, 428, and 432, which may be used by a wirelessnetwork for further analysis. As will be appreciated from the foregoingdisclosure, messages 404, 408, 412, 416, 420, 424, 428, and 432 maycorrespond to beacon messages and/or probe response messages, forexample.

In a conventional wireless network device, the wireless network devicemay generate a notification 440 listing each of the wireless networksdetected, such as is depicted in FIG. 4B. Here, the detected wirelessnetworks may be presented in a list that is sorted, for example,according to detected signal strength, as shown by the signal strengthindicators on the right. If two networks are depicted as having the samedetected signal strength, a secondary sort order may be used, such as analphabetical sorting based on detected SSID. It will be appreciated thatother sorting options may be utilized.

As will be understood in view of the present disclosure, the wirelessnetwork device may alternatively identify wireless networks that areassociated with the same access device and group those networkoriginating from the same access device for presenting in anotification. FIG. 4C illustrates a listing of access devices grouped inthis way. Various techniques may be implemented for determining that thedifferent wireless networks are associated with the same access device.For example, the wireless network device may determine that all or aportion of network identifiers for two or more detected networks matchand thereby determine that the networks are associated with the sameaccess device. For example, from FIG. 4A, it may be determined thatmessage 404 and message 408 have SSIDs that match, at least in part, andtherefore the networks corresponding to these SSIDs are associated withthe same access device. As another example, it may be determined thatmessage 412 and message 416 may have SSIDs and/or BSSIDs that match, inpart, and therefore the network corresponding to these messages areassociated with the same access device. As another example, it may bedetermined that message 420 and message 424 may have SSIDs and/orsecurity protocols that match, and therefore the network correspondingto these messages are associated with the same access device. As afurther example, it may be determined that message 428 and message 4432may have vendor specific elements (VSEs) that match, and therefore thenetwork corresponding to these messages are associated with the sameaccess device. In addition, combinations of factors may be used indetermining that two networks are associated with the same accessdevice. The grouped networks may be sorted according to one or moresorting conditions for display in the notification 450. The notificationmay include information in addition to that shown in FIG. 4C, such asvendor information about the wireless access device, such as amanufacturer, model, etc. Such information may be useful to a user inaiding the determination of which access device is the one that awireless network device is to associate with.

FIG. 5 provides an overview of a method for detecting a plurality ofwireless networks. At block 505, a first wireless signal including afirst message element is detected. A message element may include one ormore components of a wireless data frame, such as a beacon frame, proberesponse frame, or other 802.11 management frame, for example. At block510, a second wireless signal including a second message element isdetected. At block 515, the first and second message elements arecompared. The comparison may indicate that all or portions of themessage elements are the same or different. This comparison may be laterutilized, such as in block 520 where the first and second wirelesssignals are identified as originating from the same wireless accessdevice. At block 525 a notification is generated indicating that thefirst and second wireless signals are from the same access device.Notifications may include, for example, a webpage or other message thatin some way identifies the wireless signals as originating from the sameaccess device. At block 530, the notification is displayed, such as on adisplay of a wireless network device, using a web browser associatedwith the wireless network device, etc.

A user operating the wireless network device may optionally provideinput identifying a wireless access device to associate with. Forexample, as displayed in FIG. 4C, the user may provide inputcorresponding to a determination of the wireless access deviceassociated with the networks having the SSIDs of “Network” and“Network_5 GHz”. Such input may be provided using one or more inputdevices of the wireless network device. Depending on the configurationof the wireless network device, the wireless network device mayestablish a wireless association with the access device, such as usingone or both of the SSIDs identified. It will be appreciated that variousother inputs may be required for establishing a wireless association,such as a password, passphrase, credentials, etc.

In some embodiments, a wireless network device may be positioned outsideof the detectable or usable wireless range of an access device. FIG. 6displays a schematic illustration of an example network environmentshowing a smartphone 604 operating at various locations relative to awireless access point 608. Gradations are illustrated in FIG. 6providing example relative wireless signal strengths that may bedetected at distances from wireless access point 608. At a location 612close to wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect a strongwireless signal and display a signal meter with full bars—4 bars asdepicted in FIG. 6. At a slightly more distant location 616 fromwireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect a wireless signaland display a signal meter with 3 bars. At a further distant location620 from wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect a wirelesssignal and display a signal meter with 2 bars. At a yet further distantlocation 624 from wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect awireless signal and display a signal meter with 1 bars. At a stillfurther distant location 628 from wireless access point 608, smartphone604 may not detect a wireless signal from wireless access point 608, anddisplay a signal meter with 0 bars or some other indication of no signalreceived. It will be appreciated that the signal meter displayed ismerely exemplary and serves to provide a measure of the relativedetected signal strength. Various implementations are possible.

FIGS. 7A-7E provide schematic illustrations of an example networkenvironment showing a smartphone 704 positioned at a distance from awireless access point 708. FIGS. 7B-7E further depict a wireless rangeextender 712 positioned at various locations relative to smartphone 704and wireless access point 708. Gradations are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7Eshowing relative wireless signal strengths that may be detected fromwireless access point 708 and wireless range extender 712. It shouldagain be appreciated that the gradations illustrated are merelyexemplary and represent only one implementation. Other signal strengthindicators can be conceived and it may be possible that the signal reachof different devices may be different.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, smartphone 704 is positioned at a locationoutside of the wireless range of wireless access point 708. If it isdesired to provide wireless connectivity to smartphone 704, a wirelessrange extender 712 may be used. For example, a wireless range extender712 may make a first wireless association with wireless access point 708and a second wireless association with smartphone 704 and function as arelay or bridge, providing network connectivity between smartphone 704and wireless access point 708.

In FIG. 7B, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a locationwhere smartphone 704 receives a wireless signal of suitable strength fornetwork communications with wireless range extender. However, wirelessrange extender 712 and wireless access point 708 are positioned at arelative location to one another such that wireless range extender 712and wireless access point 708 can not establish wireless communicationswith one another. Accordingly, wireless range extender may determinethat this location is not optimal and may generate a notificationindicating a need to move the wireless range extender closer to thewireless access point. The notification may be included on a web pagegenerated by wireless range extender 712, for example, which may bedisplayed by smartphone 704 or another network device. The notificationmay be displayed directly by wireless range extender 712, such as usingone or more lights or audible signals. As depicted, wireless rangeextender 712 includes multiple lights, such as light emitting diodes(LEDs) that illuminate according to whether the wireless range extender712 should be moved closer to or further from the wireless access point708. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the right most LED on wireless rangeextender 712 is illuminated, indicating that the wireless range extender712 needs to be moved closer to the wireless access point 708. It willbe appreciated that other notification schemes may be implemented andthat the notification schemes described here are merely examples.

In FIG. 7C, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a locationwhere wireless access point 708 and wireless range extender 712 receivehigh signal strengths from one another and so can establish networkcommunications with one another. However, smartphone 704 and wirelessrange extender 712 are positioned at a relative location to one anothersuch that they can not establish wireless communications with oneanother. Wireless range extender 712 may determine that this location isnot optimal, due to a detected high signal strength from wireless accesspoint 708, and may generate a notification indicating that the wirelessrange extender 712 needs to be moved further away from the wirelessaccess point 708. This determination may occur by analyzing the signalstrength of wireless signals transmitted by wireless access point 708and received by wireless range extender 712. For example, wireless rangeextender 712 may identify a signal strength greater than 75% as notoptimal. As with FIG. 7B, the notification may be included on a web pagegenerated by wireless range extender 712; alternatively or additionally,the notification may be displayed directly by wireless range extender712, such as using one or more lights or audible signals. As depicted,in FIG. 7C, the left most LED on wireless range extender 712 isilluminated, indicating that the wireless range extender 712 needs to bemoved further away from the wireless access point 708.

In FIG. 7D, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a locationwhere wireless access point 708 and wireless range extender 712 receivesignal strengths from one another and so can establish networkcommunications with one another. Smartphone 704 and wireless rangeextender 712 are positioned at a relative location to one another suchthat they can also establish wireless communications with one another.The signal strength received at wireless range extender 712 fromwireless access point 708 may, however, be identified as too low, suchas less than 25%, and so it may be determined by the wireless rangeextender 712 that the placement is also not optimal. Again, wirelessrange extender may generate a notification of non-optimal placement,such as a notification included on a web page generated by wirelessrange extender 712 and/or displayed directly by wireless range extender712, such as using one or more lights or audible signals. As depicted,in FIG. 7D, the right most LED on wireless range extender 712 isilluminated, indicating that the wireless range extender 712 needs to bemoved closer to the wireless access point 708.

In FIG. 7E, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a locationwhere wireless access point 708 and wireless range extender 712 receivesignals of suitable strengths from one another and so can establishnetwork communications with one another. Smartphone 704 and wirelessrange extender 712 are positioned at a relative location to one anothersuch that they can also establish wireless communications with oneanother. The signal strength received at wireless range extender 712from wireless access point 708 may be identified as above a suitablelow-threshold value (e.g., greater than 25%) and below a high-thresholdvalue (e.g., less than 75%) and so it may be determined by the wirelessrange extender 712 that the placement is optimal. Again, wireless rangeextender may generate a notification of the optimal placement, such as anotification included on a web page generated by wireless range extender712 and/or displayed directly by wireless range extender 712, such asusing one or more lights or audible signals. As depicted, in FIG. 7E,the center LED on wireless range extender 712 is illuminated, indicatingthat the placement of wireless range extender 712 is optimal. It will beappreciated that, although a wireless range extender is depicted inFIGS. 7B-7E, other wireless network devices, such as a wireless bridgeor other wireless repeater type device, may operate in a similar way asthe wireless range extender.

FIGS. 8A-8D provide illustrations of example notifications forembodiments where the notification is included in a web page generatedby a range extender. It will be appreciated that, although a wirelessrange extender is depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D as generating thenotification, other wireless network devices, such as a wireless bridgeor other wireless repeater type device, may operate in a similar way asthe wireless range extender.

The notification shown in FIG. 8A may correspond to, for example, thearrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7B, where the wireless rangeextender is positioned at a location where it is receiving a weak, low,or no signal strength wireless signal from the wireless router. The webpage may be generated, for example, by the wireless range extender anddisplayed, for example, by the smartphone or other network device, whichmay access the web page using a browser application or other softwareapplication. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the notification providesinstructions to move the wireless range extender closer to the wirelessrouter.

The notification shown in FIG. 8B may correspond to, for example, thearrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7C, where the wireless rangeextender is positioned at a location where it is receiving a strong orhigh signal strength wireless signal from the wireless router. The webpage may be generated, for example, by the wireless range extender anddisplayed, for example, by a smartphone, laptop, or other networkdevice, which may access the web page using a browser application orother software included on the device. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, thenotification provides instructions to move the wireless range extenderaway from the wireless router.

It will further be appreciated that a wireless range extender or similarwireless network device may operate on AC power, such as may be providedthrough standard 120 V/60 Hz AC NEMA 5 wall outlets in the UnitedStates, or DC power, such as may be generated by an AC/DC converter,etc. In order to change the position of the wireless it may be necessaryto remove power from the wireless range extender. In embodiments, thewireless range extender detects the loss of power and, upon power beingrestored, may resume the wireless network detection and positionoptimization process. In some embodiments, a notification is generatedindicating that the process is being resumed, such as a web page thatallows a user to provide input selecting whether to resume theoptimization process or to start the setup process over. In order tofacilitate the resumption, information, such as a selected wirelessnetwork and credential information, may be stored by the wireless rangeextender to a non-transitory storage device included in the wirelessrange extender prior to power being removed and loaded upon power beingrestored.

One advantage of generating a web page including the notification, ascompared to an LED light or audible notification, for example, is thatmore granular information can be provided to the user, such asinformation relating to the exact signal strength observed, informationabout how far and in what direction to move the range extender, etc.Further, it will be appreciated that a display included in the wirelessrange extender (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or e-ink display)may operate to display the notification and not require an externalnetwork device for displaying a web page generated by the wireless rangeextender.

The notification shown in FIG. 8C may correspond to, for example, thearrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7D, where the wireless rangeextender is positioned at a location where it is receiving a moderatesignal strength wireless signal from the wireless router, which mayallow the device to operate, though may result in some interruptions. Inaddition, although the signal strength for one wireless band may be ofsufficient strength, such as the 2.4 GHz band illustrated in FIG. 8C,another band may only receive a weak or poor strength signal, such asthe 5 GHz band illustrated in FIG. 8C. Accordingly, the notificationgenerated by the wireless range extender may include information thatthe signal may be sufficient, but could potentially be further optimizedby moving the range extender closer to the wireless router. Thenotification may be implemented in a web page generated, for example, bythe wireless range extender and displayed, for example, by thesmartphone illustrated in FIG. 7D, which may access the web page using abrowser application or other software included on the smartphone.

It will also be appreciated that additional information and/orinstructions in the notification other than those illustrated herein maybe provided by the wireless range extender. For example, a notificationmay indicate that the wireless signal strength is sufficient and fallswithin the optimal range but range may be further optimized by movingthe wireless range extender further away from the wireless access point.Additionally, notifications may provide information about signalstrength per band or for multiple wireless access points. Otherinformation may be generated by the wireless range extender to includein the notification, depending on the configuration. For example, awireless range extender may include location determination orapproximation hardware, such as global positioning system (GPS)hardware, Bluetooth Low Energy hardware, which may be useful forproximity determination, etc. In such as configuration, a floor plantype display may be generated to indicate the relative position ofwireless devices, similar to the illustrations in FIGS. 7A-7E, forexample. Proximity determination hardware may optionally be paired withsoftware included on a wireless network device, such as an applicationoperating on a smartphone, in order to make use of and/or detect theproximity of a device to one or more Bluetooth beacon devices, forexample.

The notification shown in FIG. 8D may correspond to, for example, thearrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7E, where the wireless rangeextender is positioned at a location where it is receiving a good signalstrength wireless signal from the wireless router, which may allow thedevices to communicate efficiently and provide optimal wireless rangeextension to nearby wireless network devices. Thus, the illustratednotification generated by the wireless range extender may includeinformation that the signal may be sufficient and that the position ofthe wireless range extender is optimal and/or that the range of thewireless network is optimally extended.

FIG. 9 provides an overview of a method embodiment for determiningoptimal placement of a wireless network device, such as a wireless rangeextender or wireless bridge. At block 905, it is determined whichwireless access device the wireless network device is to connect to,such as which wireless router, wireless access point, wireless rangeextender, etc. to connect to. The determination may be optionally madeby receiving input from a user corresponding to selection of a wirelessaccess device. As necessary, credential information may also be receivedcorresponding to information needed to establish a wireless associationwith the wireless access device. In some embodiments, the determinationmay be made by reading stored determination information from a memorydevice, such as in the event of a power failure or power restoration atthe wireless network device. At block 910, a wireless signalcorresponding to the wireless access device is detected. It will beappreciated that the order of operations of block 905 and 910 may bereversed, such that the signal is first detected and the determinationof the wireless access device follows thereafter. Optionally, thewireless signal may include information allowing the wireless networkdevice to determine a quality of the wireless signal, such as atransmitted signal strength. At block 915, the quality of the wirelesssignal is determined. At block 920, the quality of the wireless signalis compared to one or more threshold values, such as to determinewhether the quality of the wireless signal is too high, too low, orwithin a useful range, for example. This comparison may be laterutilized, such as in block 925 where a notification is generated, suchas a notification that includes instructions for positioning thewireless network device. At block 930, the notification is displayed.Optionally, the notification may include, for example, a webpage orother message that in some way provides the instructions. Optionally,the notification may be a visible alert, such as presented on a displayof the wireless network device, such as an LCD display, e-ink display,LED display. Optionally, the notification is an audible alert.Optionally, the display of the notification is facilitated by use ofanother network device, such as by transmitting the notification to theother network device and displaying the notification on a display of theother network device, by using a web browser of the other networkdevice, etc. Various display implementations are possible.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wireless network device 1000. Thewireless network device 1000 may include any human-to-machine interfacewith network connection capability that allows access to a network. Forexample, the wireless network device 1000 may include a stand-aloneinterface (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a home computer, alaptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), acomputing device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall panel,a keypad, or the like), an interface that is built into an electronicdevice (e.g., television, security system, game console, browser, or thelike), a speech or gesture interface (e.g., Kinect™ sensor, Wiimote™, orthe like), etc. The wireless network device 1000 includes hardwareelements that can be electrically coupled via a bus 1018 (or mayotherwise be in communication, as appropriate). In one embodiment, thebus 1018 can be used for the processor(s) 1002 to communicate betweencores and/or with the memory 1012. The hardware elements may include oneor more processors 1002, including without limitation one or morespecial-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips,graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or more inputdevices 1016, which can include without limitation a camera, a mouse, akeyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a touch pad, a keypad, and/or thelike; and one or more output devices 1014, which can include, withoutlimitation, a display, a printer, and/or the like.

The wireless network device 1000 may include one or more wirelesstransceivers 1006 connected to the bus 1018. The wireless transceiver1006 may be operable to receive wireless signals (e.g., signal 1010) viaantenna 1008. The wireless signal 1010 may be transmitted via a wirelessnetwork. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be any wirelessnetwork such as a wireless local area network (e.g., local area network100), such as Wi-Fi network, a Personal Access Network (PAN) (e.g.,Bluetooth® or Zigbee®), or a cellular network (e.g. a GSM, WCDMA, LTE,CDMA2000 network). Wireless transceiver 1006 may be configured toreceive various radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., signal 1010) viaantenna 1008 from one or more gateways, network devices, other accessdevices, cloud networks, and/or the like. Wireless network device 1000may also be configured to decode and/or decrypt, via the digital signalprocessor (DSP) 1004 and/or processor(s) 1002, various signals receivedfrom one or more gateways, network devices, other access devices, cloudnetworks, and/or the like.

The wireless network device 1000 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more non-transitory machine-readable storagemediums or storage devices (e.g., memory 1012), which can comprise,without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, a solid-state storage device such as a random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices maybe configured to implement any appropriate data storage, includingwithout limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or morecomputer-program products, such as instructions or code, in memory 1012,such as RAM, ROM, FLASH, or disc drive, and executed by processor(s)1002 or DSP 1004. The wireless network device 1000 can also comprisesoftware elements (e.g., located within the memory 1012), including, forexample, an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries,and/or other code, such as one or more application programs, which maycomprise computer programs implementing various functions. Merely by wayof example, one or more procedures described with respect to theprocesses discussed above may be implemented as code and/or instructionsexecutable by a computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in anaspect, then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configureand/or adapt a computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods. Such functions orcode may include code to perform the steps described above with respectto FIG. 5, for example. Memory 1012 may be a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium, processor-readable memory, and/or acomputer-readable memory that stores the one or more computer-programproducts configured to cause the processor(s) 1002 and/or DSP 1004 toperform the various functions. In other embodiments, the variousfunctions described may be performed in hardware.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a server 1100. The server 1100includes hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus1116 (or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). In oneembodiment, the bus 1116 can be used for the processor(s) 1102 tocommunicate between cores and/or with the memory 1112. The hardwareelements may include one or more processors 1102, including withoutlimitation one or more special-purpose processors (such as digitalsignal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or thelike), memory 1112, DSP 1104, a wireless transceiver 1106, a bus 1116,and antenna 1108. Furthermore, in addition to the wireless transceiver1106, server 1100 can further include a network interface 1114 tocommunicate with a network (e.g., a local area network, a network of apreferred carrier, Internet, etc.).

The server 1100 may further include (and/or be in communication with)one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage mediums or storagedevices (e.g., memory 1112), which can comprise, without limitation,local and/or network accessible storage, and/or can include, withoutlimitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, asolid-state storage device such as a random access memory (“RAM”) and/ora read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateableand/or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement anyappropriate data storage, including without limitation, various filesystems, database structures, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or more one ormore computer-program products, such as instructions or code, in memory1112. The server 1100 can also comprise software elements (e.g., locatedwithin the memory), including, for example, an operating system, devicedrivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or moreapplication programs, which may comprise computer programs implementingthe functions provided by various embodiments, and/or may be designed toimplement methods and/or configure systems, as described herein. Thememory 1112 may be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,processor-readable memory, and/or a computer-readable memory that storesthe one or more computer-program products configured to cause theprocessor(s) 1102 to perform the functions described. In otherembodiments, one or more of the functions described may be performed inhardware.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory 1012.In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within acomputer system. In other embodiments, the storage medium might beseparate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as acompact disc), and/or provided in an installation package, such that thestorage medium can be used to program, configure and/or adapt a computerwith the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions of one ormore computer-program products might take the form of executable code,which is executable by the wireless network device 1000 and/or mighttake the form of source and/or installable code, which, upon compilationand/or installation on the wireless network device 1000 (e.g., using anyof a variety of generally available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an access device 1200. The accessdevice 1200 may include a range extending device, a router, an accesspoint, a modem, and/or any other device that provides network accessamong one or more computing devices and/or external networks. Forexample, the access device 1200 may include a router gateway with accesspoint and router functionality, and may further include an Ethernetswitch and/or a modem. As another example, the access device 1200 mayinclude a range extending gateway that may be used to improve signalrange and strength within a network by taking an existing signal fromanother gateway (e.g., a wireless access point, wireless router, or thelike) and rebroadcasting the signal to create a second logical network.

The access device 1200 includes hardware elements that can beelectrically coupled via a bus 1218 (or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate). In one embodiment, the bus 1218 can beused for the processor(s) 1202 to communicate between cores and/or withthe memory 1212. The hardware elements may include one or moreprocessors 1202, including without limitation one or morespecial-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips,graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or more inputdevices 1216, which can include without limitation one or more buttons,a keyboard, a keypad, a touch sensitive screen, a touch pad, and/or thelike; and one or more output devices 1214, which can include, withoutlimitation, a display, light or sound indicators, and/or the like.

The access device 1200 may include one or more wireless transceivers1206 and 1220 connected to the bus 1218. The wireless transceiver 1206may be operable to receive wireless signals (e.g., a wireless signal1210) via an antenna 1208. The wireless transceivers 1220 may beoperable to receive wireless signals (e.g., a wireless signal 1224) viaan antenna 1222. The wireless transceivers 1206 and 1220 may eachinclude a Wi-Fi transceiver radio designed to transmit and receivesignals using frequencies of a specific frequency band, which may bereferred to herein as “Wi-Fi circuits.” For example, wirelesstransceiver 1206 may include a 2.4 GHz WiF-i circuit, and wirelesstransceiver 1220 may include a 5 GHz Wi-Fi circuit. Accordingly, theaccess device 1200 may include a single Wi-Fi circuit for a first Wi-Fifrequency band, and a single Wi-Fi circuit for a second Wi-Fi frequencyband. In some embodiments, the access device 1200 may include multiplewireless transceivers (not shown) for each available frequency band. Theantennas 1208 and 1222 may include multiple band antennas that cantransmit and/or receive signals over different frequency bands.

The access device 1200 may further include radio frequency (RF) circuit1226. In some embodiments, the wireless transceivers 1206 and 1220 maybe integrated with or coupled to the RF circuit 1226 so that the RFcircuit 1226 includes the wireless transceivers 1206 and 1220. In someembodiments, the wireless transceivers 1206 and 1220 and the RF circuit1226 are separate components. The RF circuit 1226 may include a RFamplifier that may amplify signals received over antennas 1208 and 1222.The RF circuit 1226 may also include a power controller that may be usedto adjust signal amplification by the RF amplifier. The power controllermay be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or anycombination thereof.

The wireless signals 1210 and 1224 may be transmitted via a wirelessnetwork. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be any wirelessnetwork such as a wireless local area network (e.g., local area network100), such as Wi-Fi™, a Personal Access Network (PAN), such asBluetooth® or Zigbee®, or a cellular network (e.g. a GSM, WCDMA, LTE,CDMA2000 network). Wireless transceivers 1206 and 1220 may be configuredto receive various radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., signals 1210 and1224) via antennas 1208 and 1224, respectively, from one or more otheraccess devices, network devices, cloud networks, and/or the like. Accessdevice 1200 may also be configured to decode and/or decrypt, via the DSP1204 and/or processor(s) 1202, various signals received from one or moregateways, network devices, cloud networks, and/or the like.

The access device 1200 may include a power supply (not shown) that canpower the various components of the access device 1200. The power supplymay include a switch-mode power supply, a linear power supply, apush-pull power supply, or any other suitable type of power supply. Insome embodiments, the access device 1200 may include multiple powersupplies. For example, a switch-mode power supply may be used tocondition input power, and a linear power supply may be used to powerthe RF circuit 1226. The power supply may be configured to operate overvarious ranges of appropriate input voltages.

The access device 1200 may further include (and/or be in communicationwith) one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage mediums orstorage devices (e.g., memory 1212), which can comprise, withoutlimitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or can include,without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storagedevice, a solid-state storage device such as a random access memory(“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable,flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be configuredto implement any appropriate data storage, including without limitation,various file systems, database structures, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or morecomputer-program products, such as instructions or code, in memory, suchas RAM, ROM, FLASH, or disc drive, and executed by one or moreprocessors. A network device can also comprise software elements (e.g.,located within the memory), including, for example, an operating system,device drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one ormore application programs, which may comprise computer programsimplementing the functions provided by various embodiments, and/or maybe designed to implement methods and/or configure systems, as describedherein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described withrespect to the processes discussed above, for example as described withrespect to FIGS. 5 and 9, may be implemented as code and/or instructionsexecutable by a computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in anaspect, then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configureand/or adapt a computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods. Such functions orcode may include code to perform the steps described above with respectto FIGS. 5 and 9. The memory may be a non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium, processor-readable memory, and/or a computer-readablememory that stores the one or more computer-program products configuredto cause the processor(s) to perform the functions described. In otherembodiments, one or more of the functions described may be performed inhardware.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory. Insome cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within a computersystem. In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate froma computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as a compact disc),and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storage mediumcan be used to program, configure and/or adapt a computer with theinstructions/code stored thereon. These instructions of one or morecomputer-program products might take the form of executable code, whichis executable by the gateway and/or might take the form of source and/orinstallable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on thegateway (e.g., using any of a variety of generally available compilers,installation programs, compression/decompression utilities, etc.) thentakes the form of executable code.

Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specificrequirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used,and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software(including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further,connection to other access or computing devices such as networkinput/output devices may be employed.

In the foregoing specification, aspects of the invention are describedwith reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those skilled in theart will recognize that the invention is not limited thereto. Variousfeatures and aspects of the above-described invention may be usedindividually or jointly. Further, embodiments can be utilized in anynumber of environments and applications beyond those described hereinwithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of thespecification. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

In the foregoing description, for the purposes of illustration, methodswere described in a particular order. It should be appreciated that inalternate embodiments, the methods may be performed in a different orderthan that described. It should also be appreciated that the methodsdescribed above may be performed by hardware components or may beembodied in sequences of machine-executable instructions, which may beused to cause a machine, such as a special-purpose processor or logiccircuits programmed with the instructions to perform the methods. Thesemachine-executable instructions may be stored on one or more machinereadable mediums, such as CD-ROMs or other type of optical disks, floppydiskettes, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flashmemory, or other types of machine-readable mediums suitable for storingelectronic instructions. Alternatively, the methods may be performed bya combination of hardware and software.

Where components are described as being configured to perform certainoperations, such configuration can be accomplished, for example, bydesigning electronic circuits or other hardware to perform theoperation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (e.g.,microprocessors, or other suitable electronic circuits) to perform theoperation, or any combination thereof.

While illustrative embodiments of the application have been described indetail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may beotherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claimsare intended to be construed to include such variations, except aslimited by the prior art.

We claim:
 1. A wireless range extender comprising: one or moreprocessors; a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the one ormore processors; a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumcommunicatively coupled to the one or more processors, wherein thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium includes instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform operations including: detecting a wireless signalusing the wireless transceiver, wherein the wireless signal correspondsto a wireless access device, wherein the wireless range extender hasestablished a wireless association with the wireless access device;determining a measure of a received power of the wireless signal by thewireless transceiver; determining that a quality of the wireless signalcan be improved by moving the wireless range extender to a differentposition based on comparing the measure of the received power of thewireless signal to a predetermined range of power values; determining acurrent location of the wireless range extender; generating a floor plandisplay when the measure of the received power is within the range ofpower values, wherein the floor plan display includes an iconrepresenting the wireless range extender, an icon representing thewireless access device, and an indication to move the wireless rangeextender to a different location by moving the wireless range extenderwith respect to the current location of the wireless range extender andthe wireless access device; and facilitating displaying the floor plandisplay.
 2. The wireless range extender of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving input corresponding todetermination of a network identifier for a wireless access device;receiving input corresponding to determination of a credential forassociating with the wireless access device; and establishing a wirelessassociation with the wireless access device using the network identifierand the credential.
 3. The wireless range extender of claim 1, whereinestablishing the wireless association includes: transmitting a proberequest message; and receiving a probe response message, wherein theprobe response message corresponds to the wireless access device.
 4. Thewireless range extender of claim 1, wherein detecting the wirelesssignal includes: receiving a wireless beacon message using the wirelesstransceiver, wherein the wireless beacon message corresponds to thewireless access device.
 5. The wireless range extender of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: generating a keep-in-placenotification when the measure of the received power is outside the rangeof power values, wherein the keep-in-place notification includesinstructions to keep the wireless range extender at a current distancefrom the wireless access device; and facilitating displaying thekeep-in-place notification.
 6. The wireless range extender of claim 5,wherein the range power of values is −75 dBm to −50 dBm.
 7. The wirelessrange extender of claim 1, wherein the floor plan display includes anindication of the measure of the received power.
 8. The wireless rangeextender of claim 1, wherein the operations further include: detecting anew wireless signal using the wireless transceiver, wherein the newwireless signal corresponds to the wireless access device; determining anew measure of a new received power of the new wireless signal by thewireless transceiver; making a new determination that a quality of thewireless signal can be improved by moving the wireless range extender toa different position based on comparing the measure of the receivedpower of the wireless signal to the predetermined range of power values;generating a new floor plan display based on the new determination,wherein the new floor plan display includes instructions for positioningthe wireless range extender closer to the wireless access device orfurther away from the wireless access device; and facilitatingdisplaying the new floor plan display.
 9. The wireless range extender ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further include: monitoring acharacteristic of the wireless association; determining a statisticalmeasure of the characteristic of the wireless association; generating anotification using the statistical measure, wherein the notificationincludes instructions for positioning the wireless range extender closerto the wireless access device or further away from the wireless accessdevice; and facilitating displaying the notification.
 10. The wirelessrange extender of claim 1, wherein facilitating displaying the floorplan display includes displaying the floor plan display on a display ofthe wireless range extender, or generating a web page including thefloor plan display by the wireless range extender.
 11. A computingdevice comprising: one or more processors; a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium communicatively coupled to the one or moreprocessors, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage mediumincludes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:detecting a wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal corresponds toa wireless access device, wherein a wireless range extender hasestablished a wireless association with the wireless access device;determining a measure of a received power of the wireless signal;determining that a quality of the wireless signal can be improved bymoving the wireless range extender to a different position based oncomparing the measure of the received power of the wireless signal to apredetermined range of power values; determining a current location ofthe wireless range extender; generating a floor plan display when themeasure of the received power is within the range of power values,wherein the floor plan display includes an icon representing thewireless range extender, an icon representing the wireless accessdevice, and an indication to move the wireless range extender to adifferent location by moving the wireless range extender with respect tothe current location of the wireless range extender and the wirelessaccess device; and facilitating displaying the floor plan display. 12.The computing device of claim 11, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving input corresponding to determination of a networkidentifier for a wireless access device; receiving input correspondingto determination of a credential for associating with the wirelessaccess device; and establishing a wireless association with the wirelessaccess device using the network identifier and the credential.
 13. Thecomputing device of claim 11, wherein establishing the wirelessassociation includes: transmitting a probe request message; andreceiving a probe response message, wherein the probe response messagecorresponds to the wireless access device.
 14. The computing device ofclaim 11, wherein detecting the wireless signal includes: receiving awireless beacon message, wherein the wireless beacon message correspondsto the wireless access device.
 15. The computing device of claim 11,wherein the operations further comprise: generating a keep-in-placenotification when the measure of the received power is outside the rangeof power values, wherein the keep-in-place notification includesinstructions to keep the wireless range extender at a current distancefrom the wireless access device; and facilitating displaying thekeep-in-place notification.
 16. The computing device of claim 11,wherein the floor plan display includes an indication of the measure ofthe received power.
 17. The computing device of claim 11, wherein theoperations further include: detecting a new wireless signal, wherein thenew wireless signal corresponds to the wireless access device;determining a new measure of a new received power of the new wirelesssignal; making a new determination that a quality of the wireless signalcan be improved by moving the wireless range extender to a differentposition based on comparing the measure of the received power of thewireless signal to the predetermined range of power values; generating anew floor plan display based on the new determination, wherein the newfloor plan display includes instructions for positioning the wirelessrange extender closer to the wireless access device or further away fromthe wireless access device; and facilitating displaying the new floorplan display.
 18. The computing device of claim 11, wherein theoperations further include: monitoring a characteristic of the wirelessassociation; determining a statistical measure of the characteristic ofthe wireless association; generating a notification using thestatistical measure, wherein the notification includes instructions forpositioning the wireless range extender closer to the wireless accessdevice or further away from the wireless access device; and facilitatingdisplaying the notification.
 19. The computing device of claim 11,wherein facilitating displaying the floor plan display includesdisplaying the floor plan display on a display of the wireless rangeextender, or generating a web page including the floor plan display bythe wireless range extender.
 20. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: detecting a wireless signal using a wireless transceiver,wherein the wireless signal corresponds to a wireless access device,wherein a wireless range extender has established a wireless associationwith the wireless access device; determining a measure of a receivedpower of the wireless signal by the wireless transceiver; determiningthat a quality of the wireless signal can be improved by moving thewireless range extender to a different position based on comparing themeasure of the received power of the wireless signal to a predeterminedrange of power values; determining a current location of the wirelessrange extender; generating a floor plan display when the measure of thereceived power is within the range of power values, wherein the floorplan display includes an icon representing the wireless range extender,an icon representing the wireless access device, and an indication tomove the wireless range extender to a different location by moving thewireless range extender with respect to the current location of thewireless range extender and the wireless access device; and facilitatingdisplaying the floor plan display.